Reminder to employees to claim tax-deductible expenses

HMRC is reminding employees that they may be able to claim a tax rebate on their work-related expenses. HMRC estimates that millions of employees, particularly those working in the service industry, could be entitled to a tax refund. Workers, including nurses, hairdressers, construction workers and those working in retail and food sectors, may be able to claim tax rebates.

Individuals in these types of roles sometimes have to pay for work-related expenses including car mileage, replacing or repairing small tools, or maintaining branded uniforms.

Where these types of expenses are incurred, employees may be entitled to claim a tax refund. HMRC is advising individuals to go directly to www.gov.uk to check if they can claim extra cash back. HMRC advises taxpayers to log in to their Personal Tax Account to claim their tax relief online and that approved claims should be refunded within three weeks.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mel Stride MP, said: "We know what a difference tax relief can make to hard-working customers, especially at this time of year. HMRC is keen to make sure customers get all the relief they're entitled to, by using the online service. Tax relief isn't available for all employment expenses, so the online Check If You Can Claim tool is very helpful - then if your claim is approved, your full tax relief will be paid directly into your bank account."

The majority of claims are for repairing or replacing tools and branded uniforms, professional subscriptions and mileage. Healthcare workers, people working in food and retail, and those in the construction industry are among the top professions to claim from HMRC.

HMRC is advising that taxpayers may be able to claim tax relief on the cost of:

* repairing or replacing small tools needed to do their job (for example, scissors or an electric drill)